Are you confused about which direction to take when marketing your business? Are your website and other marketing materials effective tools for connecting with your ideal client? Are your social media efforts scattered, bearing minimal results? If you answered yes to any of these questions and are unsure of what to do or even how to go about doing it, you probably need a brand audit.
What Is a Brand Audit?
A brand audit is an opportunity to reflect on your current branding materials. It can help to identify what’s currently working and what isn’t and shed light on new opportunities for your business.
Who Needs a Brand Audit?
If you have an established business, you already know how strategies can change over time, so branding materials can become outdated and no longer represent your brand.
For business start-ups, a brand audit can provide direction, helping you get off on the right foot when building your brand. It can also serve to focus your valuable marketing dollars toward areas that will boost your brand.
4 Essential Elements of Your Brand Audit in Calgary
If you’ve never had a brand audit, this section will outline just a few of the elements that we’ll address during the brand audit process. Whether you’re selling products or services, the most successful brands incorporate the following elements into their brand strategy.
1. Logo Design
Your graphic designer will assess your current logo and ask questions about its effectiveness:
- Does your logo reflect your brand?
- Does it resonate with your target client?
- Does it help you stand out from the competition?
- Do you have all the right file types to reproduce your logo across multiple mediums?
If, during the process, you discover that your current logo is no longer aligned with your brand or you simply want to update its look, we can help you create a new logo to help your business stand out.
2. Photography
They say that images are worth a thousand words, and this is definitely true for your brand. While custom photos are a great way to promote your business, define your brand, and build trust, your graphic designer can also provide some DIY strategies to help compile a stock photo library that resonates with your brand.
3. Website
Your website is the online face of your business, so you need to gauge its effectiveness in appealing to your target market. The audience experience is crucial, and we look at factors such as visual flow, visual consistency, functionality, and messaging and can advise you on changes to help improve your site. If you need to make changes to your website or update your website content, we can connect you to professionals who can help.
4. Social Media Platforms
Social media works well when you understand your target audience and identify the right platform to promote your business. As part of your brand audit, we’ll assess your current social media strategy and ensure you’re using the right platforms to promote your brand. Consistent brand messaging across platforms is crucial so we’ll offer suggestions to achieve this.
What Are the Benefits of a Brand Audit?
By engaging in a brand audit, you have the opportunity to have open and valuable discussions with a branding professional about your current vision, goals, and company culture. This can lead to a revitalization of your brand assets, allowing them to more accurately and effectively reflect the essence of your organization.
Additionally, a brand audit can help simplify your brand strategy so you can focus on the specific brand assets that deliver the best results for your business.
Create a Strong Brand Identity in Calgary
If you’re excited about defining your company brand and you’d like to discuss how a brand audit can benefit your business, contact Paper Lime Creative today. Our Calgary graphic designer works with businesses to create powerful brands that reflect their identity and help them stand out from the competition.